Josh Hartnett, who once starred in 40 Days and 40 Nights, is now in final talks to topline 30 Days of Night for Columbia Pictures.

The film is based on the Steve Niles graphic novel, illustrated by Ben Templesmith and published by IDW. David Slade is directing.

Written by Stuart Beattie and Brian Nelson, the story centers on a sleepy, secluded Alaska town called Barrow, the sun sets and doesn’t rise for over thirty consecutive days and nights. From the darkness, across the frozen wasteland, an evil will come that will bring the residents of Barrow to their knees. The only hope for the town is the Sheriff (Hartnett) and Deputy, a husband and wife who are torn between their own survival and saving the town they love.

Shooting is set to begin in early August in New Zealand.

Ghost House Pictures’ Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert are producing, while Grant Curtis is overseeing the production for the Sony-based production company. Mike Richardson, Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane are executive producing.

Shannon Gaulding and Adam Milano are overseeing for Sony, which will distribute the film in North America and a few international territories. Mandate Pictures will handle the remaining international rights.

Hartnett, who most recently starred in Lucky Number Slevin, is filming Resurrecting the Champ and next appears in The Black Dahlia.